Kohli lauds a ‘priceless’ Pujara, ‘fitter’ bowlers
ADELAIDE: Virat Kohli’s comments after the Adelaide Test victory must have come as music to Cheteshwar Pujara’s ears. The India captain termed his match-winning knock in the first Test as ‘priceless’.
From being left out of the first Test in England this year, Pujara has begun the four Test series against Australia with a bang. His century in the first innings after India had lost four wickets with just 41 on board proved to be decisive. Equally precious was his 71 in the second innings and the 87-run stand with Ajinkya Rahane (70) that put India in strong footing.
“It was priceless from Pujara,” Kohli said on his innings.
“We were down and out at lunch on day one. His grit and determination brought us back in it. We always knew that runs on the board would make the home side tentative. Any lead was gold and we got 15.
“We built on that (with) a couple of partnerships in the second innings, particularly Pujara and Rahane. When they bat together like that they are our most solid pair. They gave us that safety for the bowlers to go out and get ten wickets,” he added.
Going into the second Test in Perth, Kohli said the positive start will rub on to the players.
“Having never done it in Australia, to take the lead first up, is a good achievement on the team’s part, and something we are looking to build on,” he said.
He did point out to the areas of concerns. “I think our middle order and lower order could’ve done better. These things are things to keep in mind for Perth.”
Kohli also rated the performance of the bowlers highly. “I think to pick 20 wickets with four bowlers, away from home, especially with a ball that does not offer you that much is something we can be proud of.”
Kohli said the pace bowlers’ ability to sustain pressure on Australia’s batsmen underlined their maturity. “That’s a very positive sign,” he said. “We’ve not been able to sustain that pressure for long enough in the past. They’re fitter, have more pace in the ball now for longer periods and they understand their job at certain times is just to contain.
Pujara, on his part, said experience of playing in these conditions helped him. “Playing here before has helped me a lot. I think what has helped me is the preparation.”